Sinisi, watching the corpses being carried away like a flowing river, also felt his scalp tingle. But his reason told him that what he had to do now was to pretend to be deaf and blind. What status did they have to question a princess's decision? They were courting death. He immediately warned Taiqi sternly,
"Don't say such things again. Look, besides the Magic Temple, which other temple has appeared? This means that the other temples have implicitly agreed to the Princess's actions. Even if the Princess were to slaughter Kaduo City clean today, no one would dare to say a single word of objection."
Taiqi suddenly understood. It was indeed true that only the Magic Temple had sent people. The priests from other temples were nowhere to be seen. The bishops and priests of those temples seemed to have vanished overnight, remaining deaf to the hellish scene before their eyes.
"You're right. If they can truly determine who harmed Lord Li Xi, then these people deserve to die."
This grand interrogation, involving nearly two thousand people, lasted for two full days. Kaduo City was enveloped by the aura of the Fire Lord for those two days, with all communication both inside and out severed. Many who wished to send messages found themselves unable to do so.
During these two days, two thousand people were beaten to death, including a viscount city lord with a lineage of hundreds of years, a grand bishop of the Magic Temple, a bishop, and fifty mages from the Magic Temple.
For this, the cardinal sent by the Magic Temple was intercepted by Adler. It was heard that two mountains were flattened that day, but the Magic Temple's actions still did not save their people.
When the teleportation arrays of the other temples could be used normally again, the teleportation array within the Magic Guild lit up immediately, and two figures appeared. Both were on good terms with Li Xi: one was S-class mercenary Galidos, and the other was a permanent council member of the Magic Guild, Herme.
"Sydosia, what happened in Kaduo City these past two days? Why couldn't the teleportation array connect?" Herme asked the branch president of the Magic Guild in Kaduo City.
Sydosia seemed to recall something, her eyes widening with fear. "Sir, two days ago, Princess Feli, along with three thousand Royal Guards, teleported to Kaduo City after the Fire Lord tore open space. Over two days, Princess Feli massacred two thousand people. The Magic Temple in Kaduo City was wiped out from top to bottom, all because Princess Feli suspected that the Magic Temple might be the mastermind behind the murder of Lord Li Xi. Just now, Princess Feli teleported back to Aisinger with the Konoha Merchant Group. Kaduo City is now a place no one dares to reside in."
Galidos didn't care who died and anxiously asked, "Is Brother Li Xi really dead? Did you see Brother Li Xi's corpse?"
Galidos was also on his way as soon as he received the news of Li Xi's death. However, when he arrived at the Magic Guild and wanted to use the teleportation array, he found that Kaduo City's teleportation array was already shrouded in a powerful aura. Only a Great Magus would have a confident chance of teleporting through, and no one else.
As a result, he had to wait a full two days for the teleportation array to return to normal.
Sydosia shook her head. "I didn't see it. Apart from the Konoha Merchant Group and Princess Feli, everyone else who saw Mr. Li Xi's body has been killed."
Then, she advised Herme, "Sir, I believe Princess Feli is truly enraged. You don't know that those two thousand people were beaten to death in front of the entire city. Princess Feli even claimed to be Mr. Li Xi's fiancée, and even other temples didn't dare to say a word."
"Then, what was the final outcome of the interrogation?"
Sydosia knew nothing. "We didn't dare to go over. But I heard that nothing was interrogated, which is why Princess Feli became so angry."
Herme's expression soured due to his delay. Li Xi had just explained his ninjutsu system to the Magic Guild before being killed. Thinking about it, the Magic Guild might also be suspected. He had to return immediately to find Princess Feli and explain the Magic Guild's innocence in this matter.
Then he said to Galidos, "I'm returning to Aisinger now. Are you coming back?"
"No," Galidos's mood was somewhat dejected. A legendary pillar of the mercenary world was about to emerge, but before their good days could even begin, they had been tragically cut short. "I will stay in Kaduo City for a few days and see if I can find any clues."
As the teleportation array began to recover, the events that transpired in Kaduo City were transmitted to various places. The outside world finally learned that Princess Feli had killed two thousand people in her rage for her fiancé. While many lamented Feli's brutal temper, they also gave a thumbs-up, praising her true nature. They wondered why they hadn't encountered such a good woman.
Of course, many temples later issued interrogations, questioning why Feli had killed two bishops of the Magic Temple and whether this was an escalation of conflict between royal authority and divine authority. Princess Feli was the first to step forward, stating that they shouldn't overreact because a few people had died. Aisinger was right there, and they could come if they dared.
Following this, the royal family also issued a notice, stating that if anyone wanted war, they would have war. Just as a major conflict seemed imminent, all the major temples fell silent and made no further mention of it.
The death of one person causing such a great upheaval was unprecedented. When Li Xi, wearing a cat mask, arrived at the underground mercenary world of Aisinger, he heard from others about the events that had transpired in Kaduo City after his departure. He slapped his forehead, crying out in his heart.
Before he left, he had gone to Konoha Street to meet Copperbeard Ironhammer. He hadn't explained in detail then, only telling Copperbeard Ironhammer to consider him dead, and then he and his clansmen left Kaduo City, a place of trouble, to hide and await his further summons. How did it turn into Feli openly inheriting his legacy as his fiancée?
And Copperbeard Ironhammer and the others, without a moment's hesitation, had recognized the mistress, as if they were afraid Feli wouldn't acknowledge them. This was completely outrageous.
The deed was done, and Li Xi could no longer salvage the situation by appearing now. Furthermore, he couldn't appear. Before he could figure out who was plotting these things behind the scenes, Li Xi had to remain dead.
"Kid, first time here, huh? Need me to tell you about the ways of this place?" a clearly drunk old man beckoned to Li Xi.
"No, I'll just look around myself." Li Xi mixed into the underground mercenary world because the mercenary guild above ground could no longer accept missions. He remembered what the golden dragon Adrian had said. Li Xi didn't dare to use the token Adrian had given him and went through intermediaries at a high price.
The people around him could see that Li Xi didn't recognize the drunken old man and immediately advised him, "Kid, this is Lawrence, the one who holds all the information in the world. There's nothing he doesn't know. If he chats with you and reveals even a little, it can make you a lot of money."
So, this unassuming old man was so formidable? Li Xi's tone instantly changed, his expression shifting faster than flipping a book. "It is I who have eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai. I wonder what the sir wishes to discuss with me?"
Lawrence, with drunken eyes, said, "Nothing much. I just saw that you're new here and must be unfamiliar with the situation. I'm just chatting out of boredom."
"You have keen eyes, sir. I am indeed here for the first time and am unclear about things here. I beg you to enlighten me."
Lawrence casually pointed around. "Things here are very simple. Unlike the mercenary guild above ground with so many rules and regulations, here you can take any mission you like, without any restrictions. Life and death are a matter of fate; it all depends on your own judgment. You can also post missions, for anything at all, even deicide."
After listening, Li Xi looked at the underground space carved out of a cave and exclaimed, "It truly is a place without rules."
"What are rules?" Lawrence's neck turned red as he remembered something. "Rules are bullshit! The things done by those people who look like humans above ground are not as glorious as what we do."
As he spoke, Lawrence grew more agitated and climbed onto the table, spitting everywhere. "Never mind anything else, just take Mr. Li Xi's matter for example. Although he has defeated us many times, everyone here respects him. He's a man of integrity! He released over a thousand of us in the ancient castle battle, legendary mercenaries, yet he still fell victim to schemes. And now, they won't even let him rest in peace after death. The major temples are even secretly spreading messages to kill several people related to Mr. Li Xi."
"Kill who?"
Upon hearing that Lawrence had new intel, these messages, which could only appear in the shadows, instantly attracted a large crowd like blood dropped into the ocean.
Lawrence took another large gulp of wine. "You don't know the people they plan to kill, but they are all somewhat related to Mr. Li Xi. One is the Dragonborn Mourinho, rumored to be Mr. Li Xi's master. The other two are Kaki Kisame and Shizhu, who can also use the so-called ninjutsu. They are just minor mercenaries, not worth mentioning."
"The major temples dare not act openly in this matter; they are all sending out secret messages. Their intention is to completely erase Mr. Li Xi's traces from the world."
Others listening also lamented, "Poor Lord Li Xi. If he had come to our underground mercenary world, perhaps none of this would have happened."
"Exactly. The people above are too corrupt, so corrupt they aren't even human. Even demons aren't as dark as them."
"Please do not insult demons. Such straightforward fools like demons wouldn't play so many mind games."
Li Xi's heart sank. He had originally planned to have his shadow clones continue to undertake missions and gain ninjutsu after things cooled down. But now, it seemed impossible. The fear the people behind the scenes had for him would not diminish with time. Judging by the situation, they intended to erase everything about him.
Lawrence, still drunk and acting out, continued to curse a long string of names. Li Xi quickly walked to the mission posting hut. The person attending him also wore a mask, so their appearance couldn't be seen. "I want to post a mission."
"Please state it."
"Find powerful little bugs. The more powerful the ability, the better. The smaller the body, the better."
"???"
The attendant on the other side was stunned. They had been working there for so many years and had never received such a bizarre mission.
"Yes, you can. How much are you willing to pay for the commission?"
"If I don't adopt it, it's 100 gold coins per type. If it's eventually adopted by me, the commission is fifty thousand gold coins, with the prerequisite that the stronger the ability, the better, and the smaller the size, the better. Repetitions don't count, and ordinary ones without abilities don't count."
"Alright, please take a look. If there are no issues, I'll post it." The attendant handed over a paper with the following written on it:
"Mission: Find Bugs
Requirements: No specific type, ordinary ones are not allowed. The stronger the ability, the better. The smaller the body, the better.
Commission: 100 gold coins/type if not adopted. Commission of fifty thousand gold coins if adopted."
"Yes."
The original ninjutsu and taijutsu could not be used in front of people, which in essence crippled ninety percent of Li Xi's combat power. Now, starting anew, he naturally had to pursue other paths. Li Xi had considered that the fastest way to gain combat power would be the insect-controlling secret techniques of the Aburame clan, which Li Xi understood as蛊术 (gu shù - a type of sorcery involving insects).
In this异世界 (yì shìjiè - another world), there were all sorts of strange insects, surely much more powerful than in the original work. Li Xi was looking for the ones that best suited him and could maximize his power.
"Xiao Fan, there are no levels for missions here. How will my draw opportunities be calculated?"
[Master, one mission equals one draw opportunity.]
"Then, doesn't this mean I won't have the super draw event and the special draw opportunities for ninja promotions?"
[Master, when you accept missions here, all prizes will appear during the draw. Whether you win or not depends on your luck.]
[When you return to the mercenary guild above ground, you can continue with the previous calculation method for levels.]
"Not bad."
"Let's go check the missions first."
Li Xi walked down to the mission board and looked from top to bottom. He was shocked by what he saw. The first mission was, as Lawrence had said, deicide.
"Mission: Deicide
Requirements: Hunt gods.
Commission: Negotiable."
Such a simple mission description, such a terrifying mission. Li Xi swallowed. This mission was unbeatable.
Looking further down,
"Mission: Assassinate the Emperor
Requirements: Kill the Emperor.
Commission: Negotiable."
This was truly lawless, utterly lawless. Even assassinating the emperor was listed here.
Further down, assassinate the Elf King, the Orc Emperor, the Berserker Chief, the Barbarian Leader. Truly worthy of the underground mercenary world's style. It was no wonder Lawrence said there were no rules; they even assassinated the rule-makers, so what rules could there be?
In addition to these missions to assassinate the continent's top figures, the list continued with various dukes, grand magi, vampire princes, level seven powerhouses...
In short, anyone who held a position on the continent could be found here with their price. Li Xi even suspected that if he hadn't 'died' early, he might have been on the list too.
Of course, after these astonishing missions, there were slightly more normal ones, such as assassinating a merchant in a certain area, or a baron, or slaughtering a small gang in a certain place. Li Xi flipped to the end, and basically all missions were related to killing, or rather, anything prohibited by law could be found here, completely different from the missions he had seen in the mercenary guild before, even diametrically opposed.
"How is it, little brother? Shocked by this for the first time, aren't you?" A loud voice sounded from behind Li Xi. Li Xi turned around and saw, well, it was an old acquaintance.
A tall figure approached Li Xi, carrying his signature weapon weighing hundreds of pounds – a splitting axe. Who else could this be but the barbarian Kage?
"It's alright."
"I heard you're new. What's your name?"